Rod Phillips‘s latest book, French Wine: A History (published by University of California Press last October) has been getting excellent early reviews. It was listed in “The Best Books on Drink of 2016” by The Guardian (UK), with the comment, “almost every page contains a gem.” It also won “Best Wine History Book” published in the USA at the Gourmand Food and Drink Awards 2017 in China, in December, the citation reading, “This book reads like a novel, with new suspense in the plot in every chapter. It gives a new perspective on the long term challenges and success of French wines through the centuries.” It will now compete with winners from other countries.
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Some early reviews of French Wine: A History
Winner “Best Wine History Book” (USA) in 2017 Gourmand Awards, China
“This book reads like a novel, with new suspense in the plot in every chapter. It gives a new perspective on the long term challenges and success of French wines through the centuries.”
Included in The Guardian’s “Best Books on Drink of 2016”
“For years we’ve had books about French wines, but never a book like this before. Rod Phillips’ comprehensive book, French Wine: A History, is an absolute tour de force, sure to be an instant classic.”—Pam Strayer Wine Country Geographic
Full review: http://winecountrygeographic.blogspot.com.au/2016/10/how-did-we-ever-live-without-this-book.html
“… almost every page contains a gem.” “Best Books on Drink of 2016,” The Guardian (UK)
“From the Celts to the Cistercians, claret to Chaptal, Rod Phillips tells the story of French wine with the detail and insight that also characterised his A Short History of Wine. His new book is a brilliant overview of the greatest wine-producing country on earth.”—Tim Atkin MW
“Written with an academic’s knowledge and a connoisseur’s understanding, this magisterial overview is the most authoritative and compelling history of the world’s most important and inspiring wine country.”—Neil Beckett, Editor of The World of Fine Wine
“Offers insight on France’s modern rise to wine world prominence, taking us back through several eras (Enlightenment to the Middle Ages, and beyond) to show us that the country’s current premiere status was hard-won. Wine does not exist in a vacuum, and Phillips touches on several of the industry’s outside forces in France, including religion and politics — two things you want to avoid talking about when you’re drinking, but should feel free to read about anytime.”—Michael Austin, Chicago Tribune
“A fascinating book that belongs on every wine lover’s bookshelf.”—The Wine Economist https://wineeconomist.com/2016/11/08/french-wine-history/
“This is a masterful survey of French wine that takes us from the Etruscans through the modern love affair with terroir. For those interested in wine and wine history, Rod Phillips takes us on an adventure that will broaden both our historical knowledge and our palate.”—Kolleen M. Guy, author of When Champagne Became French
“Phillips’ lively masterwork seamlessly wraps culture, politics and religion into an adventurous saga covering 25 centuries and a fascinating array of happenings into a compelling and engaging narrative. History lessons should always be this engrossing.” – Bill Ward, Star-Tribune (Minneapolis)
“This is a landmark book. Phillips captures with great authority the ups and downs of the world’s most illustrious winemaking nation and tells the story of French wine from its beginnings 2,500 years ago to the present day. The history of France’s big three wine regions—Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne—are given special attention, but other regions are also part of the story. Lively, serious, and engaging, Phillips’s book provides the only overview of French wine in English.”—Noelle Plack, Newman University
“…a marvellous overview. Phillips is also very good at making the connections through his synthesis.” – Dean Tudor, tonyaspler.com